Collaboration to support the CALD community
Partnerships with community and local industry are an integral strength of Skills & Jobs Centres.
The strength of the Skills & Jobs Centre lies not only in its attendance to individual client needs, but also in strong partnerships with community and local industry, linking training and skills development to relevant employment opportunities and local economic growth.
Greater Shepparton is one of regional Victoria’s most culturally diverse communities, home to people from more than 30 nationalities who collectively speak over 50 languages. The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) population forms a significant part of the region.
Many individuals within this community initially enter the workforce through agricultural roles. Over time, there is a growing aspiration to transition into more stable and rewarding careers - particularly within the health sector.
The health care and social assistance sector is the largest employer across the Shepparton, Seymour, and surrounding regions of rural Victoria. The industry is currently experiencing workforce shortages, highlighting a critical need for skilled workers.
According to the Jobs and Skills Atlas, over 11,000 people were employed in this sector in 2024, with an additional 5,343 workers projected to be needed by 2034. This growth presents significant employment opportunities for local communities, including CALD job seekers.
In response to this demand, the Ethnic Council of Shepparton engaged with the GOTAFE Skills & Jobs Centre to support a series of Health Industry information sessions aimed at CALD community members.
Evening sessions were delivered in collaboration with major regional employers - GV Health and Shepparton Villages - who provided insights into career pathways, recruitment processes, and employment opportunities within their organisations.
GOTAFE SJC Career Counsellor, Ildi Kerry, delivered presentations on training pathways into the health sector. The sessions covered: Short courses and introductory programs, Accredited qualifications, non-accredited training options and career pathways ranging from entry-level roles to professional positions.
Participants were also introduced to the range of support services available through the Skills & Jobs Centre, including personalised career counselling and ongoing guidance.
The sessions were highly successful in generating engagement and interest.
This strong response highlights:
- The importance of culturally responsive engagement strategies
- The demand for clear information on training and career pathways
- The effectiveness of partnerships between community organisations, industry, and training providers.
